Etem, Perry are too much for Buffalo in Ducks victory

The Ducks' Emerson Etem scores a goal against Jhonas Enroth of the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Emerson Etem long ago made up with this working-class city after some critical words were uttered when he was a junior player. But his breakout night for the Ducks on Saturday will leave a different sting with beaten-down Buffalo Sabres fans.

Etem got the first two-goal game of his brief NHL career and Corey Perry added two goals to help the Ducks shake off a slow start and roll up the sad-sack Sabres, 6-3, at First Niagara Center.

It was nearly three years ago while playing for Team USA in the world junior championships that Etem called Buffalo a “ghost town” and “the worst city ever” through his Twitter account.

The young winger quickly regretted those comments and made his peace. His damage Saturday was on the scoreboard, potting goals in the second and third periods as part of five consecutive by the Ducks (11-3-1), who are 4-2-1 on this trip.

“I made my apologies,” Etem said. “I’m just not going to talk about it. It’s a good feeling to get the win. We knew we couldn’t take these guys lightly.”

The Ducks spotted the NHL’s worst team an early second-period lead on Cody Hodgson’s power-play goal before getting serious. Ryan Getzlaf triggered the deluge, and Sami Vatanen and Etem followed by scoring 34 seconds apart.

“It took us about a period,” Getzlaf said. “It’s a frustrating concept. It’s something to be expected in some terms when you’re on a (15)-day road trip. It’s hard to get up for them all.

“I’m happy with our effort after that first period, getting back in the hockey game and displaying that will to win.”

Perry and Etem blew the game open with goals 39 seconds apart, and then Perry squelched a minor Buffalo comeback with a breakaway goal. Jonas Hiller only needed to make 14 saves.

The Ducks went all in late trying to get Etem his first hat trick but that will have to wait.

“First and foremost, it’s a big win,” Etem said. “When you’ve had a little support from your teammates trying to get you that third one, it’s just nice to see. Great group of guys, great teammates and that showed.”

The Ducks' Emerson Etem scores a goal against Jhonas Enroth of the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
The Ducks Ben Lovejoy (right) battles for the puck with Steve Ott of the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. Ott received a holding penalty on the play. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin (right) battles with Tyler Ennis of the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
The Ducks' Cam Fowler controls the puck against Tyler Ennis of the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin (center) battles for the puck with Matt Moulson of the Buffalo Sabres as Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller defends the net at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
Ducks right winger Corey Perry (right) moves the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth in the second period at First Niagara Center on Saturday in Buffalo. GARY WIEPERT, AP
Corey Tropp #78 of the Buffalo Sabres controls the puck against Francois Beauchemin #23 of the Anaheim Ducks at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
Ryan Getzlaf #15, Nick Bonino #13 and Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate their 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo. JEN FULLER, GETTY IMAGES
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm carries the puck past fallen Buffalo Sabres center Steve Ott and goaltender Jonas Hiller during the first period in Buffalo. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf celebrates his goal with right wing Corey Perry during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks right winger Corey Perry moves the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth during the second period in Buffalo. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks' Corey Perry fires the puck past the glove of Buffalo Sabres' Jhonas Enroth for his second goal of the game during the third period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks' Corey Perry fires the puck past the glove of Buffalo Sabres' Jhonas Enroth for his second goal of the game during the third period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler and goaltender Jonas Hiller of battle for a rebound after a shot by Buffalo Sabres center Tyler Ennis during the first period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth and defenseman Tyler Myers defend on a shot from Anaheim Ducks left winger Dustin Penner during the third period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder knocks the puck away from Anaheim Ducks right winger Corey Perry during the second period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder knocks the puck away from Anaheim Ducks right winger Corey Perry during the second period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks right winger Emerson Etem celebrates his goal while Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth reacts during the second period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Anaheim Ducks right winger Emerson Etem celebrates his goal while Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth reacts during the second period in Buffalo. Anaheim won 6-3. GARY WIEPERT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.